Wrong-Way Accident on I-95 Kills Five

A wrong-way accident in the early morning hours on Miami’s I-95 has claimed five lives. The Florida Highway Patrol reports that at approximately 12:48 am a white Ford pickup driven by a 23-year-old female from California entered the highway southbound in the northbound traffic lanes at the Miami Garden exit.

This action set off a chain of events which ended with four separate collisions and five deaths. The Ford clipped the rear of a Chevrolet Cobalt, which sent the Cobalt crashing into the concrete median. The driver of the Cobalt suffered only minor injuries. The Ford then collided head-on with a Hyundai Sonata, killing all four passengers inside. The driver of the Sonata was a 47-year-old male from Cooper City, whose three passengers were in town for the holidays. The Sonata was then rear-ended by a Kia Optima, which glanced off the rear of the Sonata and struck a Ford tow truck in the right hand lane before coming to a stop. The driver of the Kia sustained only minor injuries and the driver of the tow truck was uninjured.

It is unknown why the driver of the Ford turned the wrong way down the expressway, and we may not ever know the reason. The accident is still under investigation, but the intensity of the impact has destroyed much of the physical evidence. The driver of the Ford was not from the area and this may have contributed to the incident, which occurred after dark. However, what is clear is the pain and emotional suffering that lies ahead for all of the families of the accident victims. Accidents that occur around the holiday season are often even more difficult for those left behind.

It is important for all drivers to remain vigilant this holiday season and into the New Year, as many more travelers are on the roadways – especially those from out of town. It is always a good idea to stay alert and monitor your surroundings while driving, particular in inclement weather or after dark. Always make sure you and your loved ones wear safety belts, and never drive if you have had too much to drink.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an automobile accident, please give us a call today at 386-243-4994.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.